Be a proper Taoist priest in The Condor Heroes

The caravan continued south, the morning light filtering through the branches and leaves onto the official road, casting dappled patterns on the surface.

After yesterday's casual conversation, the bodyguards became more familiar with Su Yan and Su Ye, and were no longer reserved while traveling. Occasionally, someone would hum a folk tune or talk about strange and unusual stories from their escort missions. The atmosphere was much more harmonious than when they arrived.

A-Wu's injuries have recovered well. He is now able to sit on a stretcher, holding a wooden stick in his hand, silently pondering the sword techniques that Su Ye had taught him that day. Occasionally, he gets up and practices a few strokes. Although his movements are still clumsy, they are much more stable than before.

His gaze toward Su Ye still held the admiration of a young man, but it was also more restrained. He would only glance at Su Ye and Su Yan when they were talking in hushed tones, and then lower his head again to continue practicing with his wooden stick.

At noon, the caravan rested in a clearing in the woods.

As soon as he unloaded his luggage, Old Chen clutched his lower back and squatted down, his face pale, cold sweat pouring from his forehead, wincing in pain, unable to even straighten his back.

Has the old injury flared up again?

Zhou Tai quickly stepped forward to support him, his face showing concern.

"The wound you sustained from the robbers last time hasn't fully healed. I told you to apply more medicine, but you wouldn't listen."

Old Chen gritted his teeth and nodded, his voice trembling.

"It's alright, just bear with it... it'll pass if you just bear with it, don't delay your journey."

"Why should we tolerate it? Young Master Su is right here!"

Zhou Tai turned to look at Su Yan, his tone filled with complete trust.

"Last time, when Ah Wu was on the verge of death, it was Young Hero Su who saved him. Your injuries can definitely be healed."

Upon hearing this, hope immediately ignited in Old Chen's eyes, and he quickly looked at Su Yan, his tone earnest.

"Young Master Su, could you please take a look? My back has been bothering me for a long time, and it hurts even more on rainy days, always holding me back when I'm on a delivery mission."

Upon hearing this, Su Yan stepped forward and said.

"It's nothing, let me see."

He squatted down and gently pressed his fingertips on the wound on Old Chen's waist, feeling the location of the blocked meridians. He already knew that this was pain caused by stagnation of blood and qi from an old injury, and that it was just right to use silver needles to clear it.

He took out the silver needles he carried with him, his fingertips deftly and skillfully pinching the needles. His gaze fell precisely on the Huantiao and Weizhong acupoints on Old Chen's waist. With a slight movement of his wrist, the silver needles were firmly inserted.

After a short while, Old Chen let out a long sigh of relief, the pain on his face gradually faded, and his complexion regained its color. He tried to move his waist and exclaimed in delight.

"It doesn't hurt anymore! It really doesn't hurt anymore! Young Master Su, your medical skills are amazing! You're far better than any of the doctors in the city!"

Upon seeing this, the surrounding bodyguards gathered around, their eyes filled with amazement.

"That's much lighter! Young Master Su, your skills are superb! When we get to Xiangyang, it's my treat! We brothers will drink to our hearts' content, until we're completely drunk!"

Seeing this, the bodyguards became even more enthusiastic, some offering water and others dry rations, and even Ah Wu couldn't help but praise them.

"Young Master Su, you are truly amazing! Not only are your martial arts skills superb, but your medical skills are also excellent."

Su Ye sat under the shade of a tree, quietly wiping her longsword. Occasionally, she would glance at Su Yan, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.

Just then, Zhang Cheng took a deep breath, as if he had finally mustered all his courage, and quickly walked up to Su Yan, bowed, and spoke with a trembling voice.

"Young Master Su, I have a favor to ask of you, and I hope you will lend a helping hand."

Su Yan stopped what she was doing, looked at Zhang Cheng, and saw his earnest expression, his eyes full of struggle and expectation, so she nodded.

"Please speak, Zhang the bodyguard."

Zhang Cheng straightened up, his face full of bitterness, and slowly said.

"My elderly mother is bedridden at home, suffering from a lung disease. She has difficulty breathing and is getting thinner every day. The most famous doctor in Xiangyang is Liu Shan, but I have an old grudge against him. Three years ago, he treated a local gentry, and the misdiagnosis led to the gentry's death. I happened to witness the whole thing and couldn't help but expose him. Now that my mother is seriously ill, I went to ask him to treat her, but he not only refused, but also, relying on his status as a retainer of powerful people in the city, spread rumors everywhere, saying that my mother's illness is caused by 'evil spirits' and is contagious. He threatened that any other doctor in the city who dared to treat her would lose their livelihood."

Zhang Cheng's voice was choked with emotion.

"I watched helplessly as my mother grew weaker day by day, and I was powerless to do anything about it. Young hero, I beg you to save my mother after you reach Xiangyang."

Upon hearing this, Su Yan frowned slightly. Doctors should be compassionate, but Liu Shan, driven by personal grudges, disregarded human life, which was truly despicable. He pondered for a moment, then spoke in a steady tone.

"Once we arrive in Xiangyang, I'll go with you to take a look."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng was overjoyed and quickly bowed again, his voice filled with gratitude.

"Thank you so much, young hero! Words cannot express my gratitude. If you ever need my help in the future, I, Zhang Cheng, will gladly die for you!"

After resting, the caravan set off again.

They traveled in silence, their hearts set on returning home, and the road beneath their feet became increasingly smooth. The closer they got to XY, the stronger the local atmosphere became. The villages and towns along the way gradually became denser, and there were more and more caravans and pedestrians coming and going. Even the air was filled with the unique prosperity and vigilance of a border town.

Skipping over the trivialities along the way, three days later at noon, the outline of Xiangyang City was clearly visible.

The city walls were tall and thick, the moat was wide, and the flags fluttered on the city walls. The city was heavily guarded, and from a distance, it exuded an aura of impregnability. The official road leading into the city was bustling with activity, with merchants, travelers, people returning home, and soldiers in armor patrolling back and forth, creating an atmosphere that was both lively and solemn.

The caravan followed the flow of people into the city. The city's streets and alleys crisscrossed, shops lined the streets, and the cries of vendors rose and fell. Taverns, teahouses, grain shops, and cloth shops were all available. Although it could not compare to the wealth of Lin'an, it was full of vitality.

After handing the caravan over to the branch of the escort agency, Zhou Tai bid farewell to Su Yan and the others.

"Young Master Su, Miss Su Ye, thank you both for escorting me all the way. Once we arrive in Xiangyang, if you need anything, just come to Changfeng Escort Agency to find me!"

"You're too kind, Chief Escort Zhou."

Su Yan nodded in response.

Zhang Cheng, unable to contain his eagerness any longer, stepped forward and said.

"Young Master Su, my home is in an alley in the south of the city, not far from here. What do you think...?"

Su Yan knew the man was anxious and nodded slightly.

Let's go.

Su Ye followed beside Su Yan, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily. Xiangyang City was a melting pot of people, a border town and a place where various forces converged, so she dared not be the slightest bit careless.

Zhang Cheng led the two through several streets and alleys, finally stopping in front of an old-fashioned courtyard. The gate was somewhat worn, but it was spotless. Zhang Cheng pushed open the gate, strode inside, and called out loudly.

"Mother, I'm back! I've brought a doctor to treat you!"

The courtyard was simply furnished but tidy, with an old locust tree providing ample shade. At the entrance to the main room, an elderly woman stood leaning against the doorframe, her face haggard, her lips purple, and her breathing rapid; she was Zhang Cheng's mother.

When she saw Zhang Cheng, a glint of light flashed in her eyes, but she couldn't speak because of her difficulty breathing; she could only cough incessantly.

"mother!"

Zhang Cheng quickly stepped forward to support her, his eyes reddening.

Su Yan quickly stepped forward and gestured for Zhang Cheng to help the old woman into the house to sit down. He placed his finger on the old woman's pulse, closed his eyes and concentrated. After a moment, he opened his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Auntie's illness is caused by long-term stagnation of qi in the lungs and internal organs, coupled with invasion of wind and cold, leading to poor qi circulation. It's just that it has been delayed for too long, so it needs to be treated as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng finally felt much relieved and quickly replied.

"Young Master Su, it's all up to you! I'm willing to pay any price to save my mother!"

Su Yan shook her head.

"Treat the illness first, then we'll talk about other things."

He took out silver needles and the herbs he carried with him, and said in a deep voice.

"I will first use acupuncture to unblock your meridians and relieve your breathing difficulties. Then I will prescribe a medicine. Please fill the medicine box according to the prescription and decoct it. Boil three bowls of water down to one bowl. I will come back for a follow-up visit in three days."

After saying that, he had Zhang Cheng support the old woman, picked up a silver needle with his fingertips, and accurately inserted it into acupoints such as Tanzhong and Feishu on the old woman's chest. His movements were steady and efficient.